TOM Killick hailed the “comprehensive manner” in which Poole Town booked their place in the FA Cup third qualifying round courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Cinderford Town.

First-half efforts from Richard Gillespie and Luke Roberts and a rare Carl Pettefer strike after the break earned Dolphins £9,000 and the chance to battle for £15,000 next time out.

And aside from a slow start, boss Killick took satisfaction in a performance which showcased his team’s qualities against lower-division opponents.

He told the Daily Echo: “In the first 15 minutes we looked a bit unsure. We were probably not as ready for the way they set up as we could have been.

“I was a bit concerned during that period but after that I thought we got control and played some good football.

“It was one of those occasions where it wasn’t just the victory, it was the manner of it. I felt we played some good stuff at times.

“You are always going to get confidence from winning games but when you win in quite a comprehensive manner and are superior in most aspects, it gives it a bit extra.

“We managed to get Luke Roberts, Richard Gillespie and Marvin Brooks on the pitch so that is going to help us significantly as an attacking force.

“I thought Jez Bedford was really good. We looked a lot more effective and we will have Korrey Henry back next week so suddenly we are in better shape.”

Killick admitted the day had been “tinged with sadness” after substitute goalkeeper Nick Hutchings was involved in the matchday squad for the final time.

Hutchings, who has made 337 appearances for Dolphins, is to leave the club in order to seek regular game time elsewhere.

On a slick pitch, Cinderford made a lively start but Poole soon took command and created several chances before they made the breakthrough six minutes before half-time.

Jordan Alawode-Williams performed good work down the right and his cross picked out the unmarked Gillespie, who headed home from close range.

Three minutes later, full-back Alawode-Williams was again the provider, his cross dropping to Roberts who bundled into the net.

Brooks curled an effort against the post but Pettefer – who had scored just one goal in 231 previous appearances for Poole – put the game out of reach after the hour.

The former Southend United man struck the upright after finding himself in unfamiliar attacking territory but the ball bounced kindly and he fired past keeper Alex Harris at the second attempt.

“We couldn’t believe he was in that position,” said Killick.

“He was so unfortunate with the first effort but the way he finished it would make you think he is a 20 goal a season man, not a 20 goal a career man!”

Dolphins: Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Whisken, Spetch, Leslie-Smith, Bedford, Moore, Pettefer, Roberts (Griffin, 74), Brooks (Grange, 74), Gillespie (Balmer, 55). Unused subs: Hubbard, Clarke, Hutchings (g/k).

To read more of Killick’s thoughts on Hutchings’s trophy-laden spell at Poole, see Friday’s Daily Echo.